I'm ultimately an optimist too Teresa! I always expect the best from people, even when that's not what's being served. It can lead to bitter disappointment but I am what I am. I've tried pessimism on for size and it just doesn't fit!

Any time you want to give me that gift? Nothing days are one of my favorite things. They should be mandatory. It's one of the things I miss from the east coast. The snow days (that are really nature enforced nothing days). The sunshine and schooldays can get relentless here in So Cal and it's nice to have an excuse to cocoon. Good for you for taking a break without nature having to intervene!

She and my two yr old son would get along great. Dinner on the hardwood floor? Sounds like a date!

I felt so much the same way Amy. Particularly with my last pregnancy which I knew was my last. I had a scheduled c section for unavoidable reasons and I didn't want to go. I wanted to wait another hour, day, week, and feel this feeling of a small person rolling around inside me, for just a little longer. I wanted to hold on to that. Even as I was perfectly miserable. Crazy contradictions! Congrats on your new baby. Cherish every minute of this newness!

I just sent in my letter of resignation to the parent cabinet, refused to provide snacks for the 4th grade end of yr book club party and wished the parent chaperones good luck on the 7th grade camping trip. I hear you. There's a fine line between volunteer and slave at my kid's school and I have to say I'm not giving from a place that I should be. So I am done. I hear you. Lets go grab some coffee while someone else bakes muffins!

"Touch it but don't touch it." I think it was impossible to watch that episode and not want one too. Sigh. When you find that off the grid Island, I'd like to visit. I promise not to wear anything with a visible label!

Here's the bottom line on my "new" policy. It looks a lot like the old policy but with clearer parameters and far more paranoia. When it comes to my online activities I discuss issues. I don't discuss individuals. I'm not out to slam anyone. I can understand the administrator's fears. But if we all are too afraid to discuss our (usually common) issues, for fear of the individuals, where does that leave us? Repressed, frightened, and alone. Not good.

I am so looking forward to your party. Hope you will come primp with me beforehand @socialluxe!

My 12yo daughter just announced last night, as she was helping me make turkey chili, that she was a vegetarian too. And guess what? Her pal sent one of those videos to her on Facebook. I suspect it's only a matter of time before my 9yo starts looking accusingly at me as well. We're already a multi meal family. I am on a wheat free diet, my 4 yo is picky pants and the baby needs things ground up. I needed this like a hole in the head. So... I hear ya! No facebook for you anymore, Young Lady! Next thing you know you will want me to grow all our produce. Oh wait... that was already suggested by your little sister.

Buy a lottery ticket for me too? Yesterday I found out that nine businesses at out little downtown/strip mall were served 3 day eviction notices. Then this morning at preschool drop off, we learned that the temple receptionist, a wonderful woman who greeted us each day with a smile (and a hug for my 4yo son) had been let go due to severe budget cuts. There's talk of doing away with kindergarten in our school district as well, that's how broke they are. I feel a little like you feel days after a forest fire that was not quite in your neighborhood, did not take out your house, but the smoldering ashes keep falling all around you, you cannot feel safe. And yet... I'm optimistic. Call me an ostrich too. I believe that we're going to come out on top. Or maybe just in a volvo convertible en route to Blogher. With the top down!

you are welcome to let your kids trash my house any time. And take home toys. Please. Less to put away later.

They like to talk in the car because they don't have to make eye contact. Clearly they have not yet realized their own mortality or they would not do this in the car. My policy is to be as simplistic, yet truthful, as possible. They will ask for more details if they want/need them, which is often not the case, thank goodness.

They should really take the laid part out of laid off, shouldn't they? My spouse would argue that less $ = more reasons to stay home and "make our own fun" but I'm can totally relate to your affection for your pillows. In my case it's been 8 months since baby, but who's counting? The economy has sucked for most of that time. Lets hope we can collectively get it up and get it on in the New Year. That sounds bad... I mean the economy people!

You are so very lucky! I'm still reeling from my FAN/BMG/WTF episode. I gave up on my iphone for days after my ordeal and have decided to stick with my old one a little longer. Just not worth it for me till the dust settles. Is it truly that much excellent-er?